The First Grader (2011): Ratings, Box Office, Plot & Where to Watch
The First Grader is a 2011 biographical drama directed by Justin Chadwick. It runs 2 hours and earned $1.2 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including People's Choice Award Runner Up at the TIFF 2010. Critics gave it 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h (120 min)
- Director
- Justin Chadwick
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The First Grader About?
The premise of The First Grader without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a remote Kenyan village, Maruge, an 80-year-old former Mau Mau freedom fighter, sets out to learn to read. Defying his age and challenging societal norms, he joins a class of young students seeking free education. His determination sparks a powerful and moving story about the pursuit of knowledge, perseverance, and the transformative power of learning at any age.
The First Grader Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- briton
- elementary school
- schoolteacher
- president
- kick
- old man
- insult
- planting a seed
- prisoner of war camp
- shoe
- television announcer
- television camera
+38 more Show fewer
- alphabet
- murder
- letter
- toe chopped off
- number
- africa
- cell phone
- murder of a child
- freedom
- mau mau
- village
- education
- sprayed with a hose
- adult education
- 1950s
- intergenerational friendship
- hard of hearing
- father daughter relationship
- mother daughter relationship
- father son relationship
- mother son relationship
- dragging someone
- gun
- soldier
- tutoring
- shot in the head
- reference to the daily telegraph
- reference to the kenyan times
- reference to the los angeles times
- reference to the new york times
- employer employee relationship
- newspaper
- role model
- handshake
- teaching assistant
- burning hut
- fire
- whipping
Where to Watch The First Grader
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
The Director of The First Grader
Directed by Justin Chadwick.
- Director Justin Chadwick
The First Grader Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The First Grader 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.
-
IMDb 7.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 62% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 56 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
The First Grader Plot Summary
What happens in The First Grader from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the sweltering heat of 2003, Kenyan radio was filled with exhilarating news that would forever alter the life of an unsuspecting octogenarian. Kimani Maruge, portrayed by Litondo, an 84-year-old villager, tuned into the broadcast and learned that the government was offering free primary education to every citizen who could substantiate their birthright. Motivated by this newfound opportunity, Maruge embarked on a deeply personal journey toward self-discovery and literacy. Upon arriving at his local school, he met Jane Obinchu, the principal and teacher, played by Harris, who listened with patience and encouragement as he expressed his aspiration to learn to read. Unfortunately, her teaching colleague Alfred, portrayed by Munyua, was far less sympathetic, insisting that Maruge vacate the premises.
Full summary
The whole story of The First Grader, scene by scene
The First Grader Box Office
The First Grader grossed $1.2 million worldwide. $332,000 came from the US and Canada and $905,457 (73%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.2M
- US & Canada
- $332K
- International
- $905.5K
The First Grader Awards & Nominations
The First Grader earned 1 award nomination, including People's Choice Award Runner Up at the TIFF 2010.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
TIFF 2010 1 nomination- Nominated People's Choice Award Runner Up – Justin Chadwick
The First Grader Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The First Grader.
How Well Do You Know The First Grader?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year did Kimani Maruge begin his journey to primary education?
Cars in The First Grader
5 cars on screen, including the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo5 and the 2010 GMC Terrain.
-
2011 Chevrolet Aveo5 Main role -
2010 GMC Terrain Important role -
1988 Jeep Cherokee Important role -
2001 Chevrolet Venture Minor role
The First Grader Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “The First Grader - Il Primo Grado” and “Uma Lição de Vida”.
- Also known as
-
- The First Grader - Il Primo Grado
- Uma Lição de Vida
- O Aluno
- The.First.Grader
- 퍼스트 그레이더
- Der älteste Schüler der Welt
- Birinci Sınıf
- 一年级生
- Az iskolakezdő
- התלמיד מספר אחת
- Pierwszoklasista
- 我的八十後同學
+1 more Show fewer
- 一年級生
Seen The First Grader?
Movies Like The First Grader
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Education, The First Teacher and The Green Years.
The First Grader FAQ: Where to Watch, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, where to watch, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The First Grader, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The First Grader?
The First Grader runs 2 hours (120 minutes).
When was The First Grader released?
The First Grader was released on May 13, 2011.
Who directed The First Grader?
The First Grader was directed by Justin Chadwick.
More films by Justin Chadwick Where can I watch The First Grader?
In the US, The First Grader is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The First Grader make at the box office?
The First Grader grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($332,000 domestic, $905,457 international).
How is The First Grader rated?
The First Grader has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Was The First Grader nominated for any awards?
The First Grader received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does The First Grader have a post-credit scene?
No. The First Grader has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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